8	SIR WALTER SCOTT        jet. 43
sketched with a masterly enthusiasm. Many thanks for
Captain Biehard Falconer.1 To your kindness I owe
the two books in the world I most longed to see, not so
much for their intrinsic merits, as because they bring
back with vivid associations the sentiments of my child-
hood—I might almost say infancy. Nothing ever dis-
turbed my feelings more than when, sitting by the old
oak table, my aunt, Lady Kaeburn, used to read the
lamentable catastrophe of the ship's departing without
Captain Falconer, in consequence of the whole party
making free with lime-punch on the eve of its being
launched. This and Captain BingHeld,2 I much wished
1	* The Voyages, Dangerous Adventures, and Imminent Escapes of Capt.
.Btck Falconer.   Containiug the Laws, Customs, and Manners of the Indi-
ans in America; his shipwrecks ,* his marrying an Indian wife ; Ma narrow
escape from the Island of Dominico, etc.   Intermixed with ihe Voyages
and Adventures of Thomas Randal, of Cork, Pilot; with his Shipwreck
in the Baltick, being the only man that eseap'd.   His being taken "by the
Indians of Virginia, etc.   And an Account of his Death.   The Fourth
Edition.   London*   Printed for J, Marshall, at the Bible in Graceclmroh
Street.   1734"
On the fly-leaf is the following note, in Scott's handwriting: " This
hook I read in early youth. I am ignorant whether it is altogether ficti-
tious and written upon De Foe's plan, which it greatly resembles, or
whether it is only an exaggerated account of the adventures of a real per*
bom. It is very scarce, for, endeavoring to add it to the other favorites of
my infancy, I think I looked for it ten years to no purpose, and at last
owed it to the active kindness of Mr. Terry. Yet Biehard Falconer's ad-
ventures seem to have passed through several editions,"
2	ft The Travels and Adventures of William Bingfidd, JJsg., containing,
as surprizing a Fluctuation of Circumstances, botih by Sea and Laxid, as
ever befel one man.   With an Accurate Account of the Shape, Nature,
and Properties of that most furious, and amazing Animal, the Dog*
Bird.   Printed from his own Manuscript.   "With a beautiful Frontispieea*
2vols.l2mo.  London: Printed for E, Withers, at the Seven Stave, m
Meet Street.   1753."   On the fly-leaf of the first volume Scott has written
as follows: "I read this scarce little Voyage Imaginaire when I was about
ten years old, and long after sought for a copy without being able to find
a person who would so much as acknowledge having heard of William
Ilngfreld or his Bog-birds, until the indefatigable kindness of my &ie&d
fe *fe?ry, of the Haymarket, made me master of this copy.   I am there-
fore Mteedto think the book is of very rare occurrence."   [In eons©*
qoemce «t %se, Hotes, both Falconer and Bingfield have been reeentty